FLY FISHING NEWS

The 2016 Salmon fishing season...CONSTANT
SUCCESS

For the last seven years now, the fly fishing has been outstanding...2016 was no different. Multiple runs, a George River filled with salmon and tremendous action!

Total salmon landed: 279
Total salmon lost in action: 89
Total number of fishing days: 153
Total productivity / rod / day: 2,41

First salmon landed: On August 11th Bernard Rossignol in pool #13, on a green machine (17pds).

Biggest salmon of the season: On August 29th by Mike Drak in pool #2 on a ‘Drakovsky’ (22 1/2 pds).

Water temperature: 57 to 61°F

Water Level: Generally medium-low. Stable for the first part of the season. Started to come slowly and limited access to some of the pools ‘down river’ for the last weeks of fishing.

Weather conditions: Good fishing weather throughout the season. 4 days lost to severe temperature (rain, wind, etc.).

New phenomenon: Landlocked salmon has become a regular catch for our fishermen over the past two seasons...adding to the unique variety of the George River!

Exceptional performances – that landed more than 21 salmon each!:

Regent Lemarbre (QC)

Pierre Deschênes (QC)

Dick Kondack (NJ)

The experience of the north will expose you to the quest of the extremes through total isolation, fast changing weather conditions, abundant wildlife, pristine waters, absolute peace...and unforgettable combats from the fish of your dreams. To whoever chases a unique salmon matchup, George River Lodge is where you want to undertake it.

The 2015 Salmon fishing report... simply extraordinairy

For the sixth year in a row, Salmon invaded the George River. Here is a short resume of this exceptional Salmon fishing season:

Total salmon landed: 129
Total salmon lost in action: 31
Total number of fishing days: 68
Total productivity / rod / day: 2,35

First salmon landed: On August 12th by Pierre Paquet in pool #9, on a green highlander (6 pds).

Biggest salmon of the season: On September 3rd by Jerry Valgora in pool 10½ on a green bug (18 pds).

Water temperature: 59 to 61°F

Water Level: Medium / low. Stable all season, providing access to 100% of the salmon territory.

Weather conditions: Generally good…only 3 days were lost to severe winds.

Most productive fishermen:

Pierre-Niclolas Lessard

Pierre-Niclolas Lessard : 17 landed, 7 lost

Louis Paquet : 16 landed, 3 lost

Pierre Deschênes : 15 landed, 3 lost

Claude Lessard : 14 landed, 5 lost

Dick Kondack : 15 landed, 3 lost

On top of this fantastic performance, hundreds of salmon were observed in all parts of the territory. Salmon was just simply everywhere… and in very large numbers!

The George River 2014 Atlantic salmon fishing report

The 2014 fishing season was just like the last few with a productivity, beyond no doubts, hard to match. Even though we are used to Mother Nature’s extremes, the conditions we faced this summer constituted a real challenge to our devoted team, who wisely succeeded in making this season, a special one. Upon our arrival, the George River was already teeming with large salmon. Our guides were able to monitor signs of activity for a few days before the arrival of our first fishermen and, at the same time, confirm Salmon’s presence in the first moments of fishing.

Nothing beats the expression and smile of a happy fisherman...especially with a fresh large salmon leaving his hands when being released. We do not only believe in statistics, but for the purposes of the annual report, here are the 2014 facts:

Water conditions and weather : When we showed up, around mid-august, the water level was very low and air temperature was around 30°C. This situation persisted until August 23rd. The water level continued to fall and water temperature was, at that time, of 67°F. Temperatures this warm were never monitored in the last 30 years of operation...Normal range, for the George River, is around 56°F. Afterwards, the weather started to cool down and water temperature dropped below 60°F. The latent behavior of the salmon shifted back to the normal vigorous and active temper we are used to, as the temperatures quickly got back to season’s averages.

The territory : These extremely low water conditions (which persisted), made it difficult to access certain portions of the fishing territory. Some pools became unfishable and new ones appeared. According to Pierre, co-owner and operator of the George River Lodge for 30 years, a good portion of the salmon territory was simply not available due to the water level of some channels.

Productivity : Despite these extreme conditions, our fishermen performed very well and saw a lot of action. Our three groups of fishermen caught 49 salmon total, most of which were released. 42 more salmon won their fight and got away. Unusual fact for the George River, many (by dozens...) salmon were spotted rising in the pools without even touching the fishermen’s flies. This phenomenon is undoubtedly due to the abnormal water conditions we have observed throughout the season. Finally, brook trout fishing was excellent: hundreds were caught and released but for those consumed.

Conclusion : For the fifth consecutive year, we had an excellent salmon run and, despite the difficult conditions, our fishermen experienced a lot of action and the harvest was great. Interestingly, six of our guests were beginners and focussed on trout fishing, rather than salmon!

Some statistics : The first fish (15pds) was caught on August 15th, by guide Melvin Lavallé in pool #10. The last salmon (13pds) was caught by Harry Yetman, also in pool #10, on September 7th. The largest salmon (16pds) was captured by Gerry Valgora in pool #9. Joe Repovs caught 4 salmon and lost 2 more in the same morning (pool #11/2). Throughout his fishing week, Richard Kondak hooked 14 salmon. Finally, Pierre-Nicolas Lessard, caught 6 salmon and lost 4 more...it was his first time salmon fishing! This performance brings our annual productivity statistic (landed, lost in action and released) to 1,17 and the cumulated, since 2012, to 1,49. Given that, on the George River, Salmon has the advantage at all times, these figures reflect a phenomenal success.

Our spectacular Salmon performance of the past few years allows us to confirm the privileged status of this river among all other world renowned fly fishing destinations. The George River continues to amaze and the constant observation of thousands of parrs confirms a healthy salmon population for now and the seasons yet to come. We may assist to a massive salmon fisherman migration towards our northern country…

Discover the George River salmon fishing, it’s more active than ever!

SALMON FISHING FACTS

The last 4 seasons were by far the most productive in the last 30 years of fishing.

One more run…Maybe two!

Salmon enters the river during the second half of July. This run is followed by a second one at mid-August and a third one during the first part of September. There is most probably a 4th one during the second half of September because when we close camp, during the third week of September, all the pools are still full of fish.

SPECTACULAR ACTION:

During the last 2 seasons, 30 of our rods landed 243 salmon. The very high majority of these we released. 97 more fish won their fight and got away. Considering the fact that several other fish were raised without touching the flies, the fact that many of our fisherman spent at least a day for trout fishing and also the fishing time lost to weather conditions, we can confirm that the action experienced by our fishermen was spectacular and unmatched.

Dick Kondak

The most productive fishermen of the 2012 and 2013 season were our friends Dick Kondak with 45 landed and 12 lost, Louis Paquet with 25 landed and 13 lost and Bill Jones with 27 landed and 7 lost. Those 3 fishermen cumulate, to themselves, close to 100 fishing weeks at the George River Lodge.

Fantastics salmon runs on the George river

The 2010 season ended up being the best in the last 30 years. Salmon entered the river very early (mid-july) and in great numbers. When our first group came in, at mid-august, the river was full of fish. When we left the Lodge, on September 21st, Salmon was still very much around and a humongous number of salmon were caught in the last few days of activity. One of the highlights of the season is, without a doubt, M. Sheldon Kippen’s performance who landed more than 40 salmon in the last 5 days of the season.

Unbelievable but true, 2011 was even better: First salmon on august 11th…a 121/2 pounds specimen in pool #9 on a Black Bear Green But and the last one, on September 22nd … a 5 pounds grills in pool #11 on a Tiger Ghost. Between those 2 dates, more than 200 salmon were landed…not counting the lost ones (about 40%). For a second year in a row, the river teemed with fish when we closed up the camp. The 2011 highlight; Melvin Lavallée and his guests landed 106 salmon and lost 41 over the course of the season.

Publications

Testimonials

The fishing was in general spectacular and truly exceeded my expectations. I would describe the catch as 300 brookies, averaging over 2 pds, my largest being a 5-pounder. The food was very good and plentiful and the noon meal of brook trout on the river was awesome. A BIG thanks for some wonderful memories.

Ronald P. Alie

Deerfield, NH

Martin is very good at what he does. He is a terrific guide and human being. Excellent man.

Michael Nettles

Cleveland, OH

Tom was a wonderful guide. The Camps were extremely clean and comfortable and the white water rafting trip was just great. Thank you Pierre and Christine for your wonderful hospitality.

Tom & Celine Jannarone

New Gloucester, ME

Martin is more than a guide; he is a companion and a friend for Helen and myself.

Marc-André Lavoie

Montréal, QC

The best and the most professional man I have ever had the pleasure to meet (Henry). All 3 guides were excellent and hard workers.

Cameron Kirkpatrick

Alton, NH

Thank you all for a great time. I will cherish the memories forever. Our guide was absolutely amazing. Keep up the great work and best of luck for the coming years. I would love to do this again sometime.

Keith Lavey

Washington, DC

Melvin is a great salmon guide. He is also the finest river man I have ever seen.

Gunter Koch

Germany

I have fished for salmon all over the world but for the past consecutive 30 years, I have always been drawn back by the magic of the River.

Dick Kondak

NJ

…I thought once again that for a fisherman to see such sights as I had seen might indeed be close to a mystical experience.

Howard Frank Mosher

The New York Times magazineThe Sophisticated Traveler

In the north, big trout are old trout. We have something very special here; we want to keep it that way.

Jean Paquet

Field & StreamBig brookies in a Riveryou can wade

There are many fond memories that I shall always treasure.

William Priest

40 fishing weekson the George River

Personality and enthusiasm of all NORPAQ employees was outstanding from start to finish.

David Broad

Bangor, PA

I had a wonderful trip: the logistics, travel arrangements and flights, camp accommodations and food were very good…surpassed my previous experiences with brook trout on a fly rod!

Irving W. Boucher

Essex Junction, VT

Thank you so much for your efficiency and planning. It was a picture perfect from every aspect. It’s not too often that teenagers marvel at the world and admire its people. But after this trip, they truly believe that Canada is a great and fantastic miracle from god.

Gina Kerwin

Once again thank you so much for a great adventure. We will be back.

David W. Aigler

PA

In 12 days of fishing, I raised 37 salmon, and landed 20 of them.

Jerome Farnsworth

MA

I had a fantastic time and caught more Atlantic salmon in a few days on the George River than I have caught in any 5 year period.

Dave Morton

ME

All the members of the group stated that fishing was outstanding and the best that anyone of us had ever experienced.

The fishing was in general spectacular and truly exceeded my expectations. I would describe the catch as 300 brookies, averaging over 2 pds, my largest being a 5-pounder. The food was very good and plentiful and the noon meal of brook trout on the river was awesome. A BIG thanks for some wonderful memories.

Ronald P. Alie

Deerfield, NH

Martin is very good at what he does. He is a terrific guide and human being. Excellent man.

Michael Nettles

Cleveland, OH

Tom was a wonderful guide. The Camps were extremely clean and comfortable and the white water rafting trip was just great. Thank you Pierre and Christine for your wonderful hospitality.

Tom & Celine Jannarone

New Gloucester, ME

Martin is more than a guide; he is a companion and a friend for Helen and myself.

Marc-André Lavoie

Montréal, QC

The best and the most professional man I have ever had the pleasure to meet (Henry). All 3 guides were excellent and hard workers.

Cameron Kirkpatrick

Alton, NH

Thank you all for a great time. I will cherish the memories forever. Our guide was absolutely amazing. Keep up the great work and best of luck for the coming years. I would love to do this again sometime.

Keith Lavey

Washington, DC

Melvin is a great salmon guide. He is also the finest river man I have ever seen.

Gunter Koch

Germany

I have fished for salmon all over the world but for the past consecutive 30 years, I have always been drawn back by the magic of the George River.

Dick Kondak

NJ

…I thought once again that for a fisherman to see such sights as I had seen might indeed be close to a mystical experience.

Howard Frank Mosher

The New York Times magazineThe Sophisticated Traveler

In the north, big trout are old trout. We have something very special here; we want to keep it that way.

Jean Paquet

Field & StreamBig brookies in a Riveryou can wade

There are many fond memories that I shall always treasure.

William Priest

40 fishing weekson the George River

Personality and enthusiasm of all NORPAQ employees was outstanding from start to finish.

David Broad

Bangor, PA

I had a wonderful trip: the logistics, travel arrangements and flights, camp accommodations and food were very good…surpassed my previous experiences with brook trout on a fly rod!

Irving W. Boucher

Essex Junction, VT

Thank you so much for your efficiency and planning. It was a picture perfect from every aspect. It’s not too often that teenagers marvel at the world and admire its people. But after this trip, they truly believe that Canada is a great and fantastic miracle from god.

Gina Kerwin

Once again thank you so much for a great adventure. We will be back.

David W. Aigler

PA

In 12 days of fishing, I raised 37 salmon, and landed 20 of them.

Jerome Farnsworth

MA

I had a fantastic time and caught more Atlantic salmon in a few days on the George River than I have caught in any 5 year period.

Dave Morton

ME

All the members of the group stated that fishing was outstanding and the best that anyone of us had ever experienced.